The Japan Times - 'Monte Cristo', 'Emilia Perez' front-runners at France's Cesar film awards

"The Count of Monte Cristo", a big-budget French adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's epic novel, was the second most watched film in French cinemas last year and leads the Cesars nominations with 14.

Lead actor Pierre Niney is the front-runner in the best actor category, but faces competition from Francois Civil who starred in the surprise French comedy hit of the year, "Un P'tit Truc en Plus" ("A Little Something Extra").

The film about a father and son who go to work in a holiday camp for people with disabilities topped the French 2024 box office and picked up 13 nominations.

"Emilia Perez", directed by Frenchman Jacques Audiard and the most-nominated film for the Oscars, was picked in 12 categories for the Cesars, including best film and best director.

The surreal musical odyssey about a narco boss who transitions to life as a woman shattered the record for the most Academy Award nominations for a non-English-language film last week, with 13 Oscar nominations.

It was also the second-most nominated film for Britain's BAFTA awards, according to the shortlist unveiled on January 15, behind Vatican thriller "Conclave".

- Migration politics -

The Cesars will be handed out in Paris on February 28 at a ceremony hosted by Jean-Pascal Zadi, who starred in a hit 2021 satire about racial politics called "Tout Simplement Noir" ("Simply Black").

This edition will mark the 50th year of the Cesars, which like the Oscars are frequently embroiled in the political issues of the day.

"L'Histoire de Souleymane" ("Souleymane's Story"), an arthouse production that recounts the struggles of an undocumented food delivery cyclist in Paris, emerged as a strong awards contender with four nominations including best film and best director.

It comes at a time of rising support for far-right political parties in France and follows a recent tightening of immigration rules by hard-line Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to make it more difficult for foreigners to gain work documents.

The star of the film, Abou Sangare, was an undocumented migrant from Guinea with no previous acting experience when he was chosen at a casting call by director Boris Lojkine.

The 23-year-old was nominated for a Cesar in the breakthrough male actor category, while co-star Nina Meurisse was nominated as best actress.

Sangare, who was the subject of a deportation order, only recently obtained a work permit to stay in France legally as a mechanic.

He told the Liberation newspaper this month that he intended to take up a job in a garage, rather than pursue a career in film.

"There might be offers but I'm a mechanic, that's my trade," he said.

The winners of the Cesars are picked by the 4,951 members of the Cesars academy.

K.Nakajima--JT